Carolina Days
June 2, 2026 - Jan 30, 2027
“Crossroads of Revolution” Exhibit at The Newberry Museum
Tues - Sat / 10:00 am - 4:00 pm / Free Admission
In commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution, The Newberry Museum presents “Crossroads of Revolution”, an exhibit featuring Newberry County and South Carolina as part of the larger history of the Colonial Era and the War for Independence.
Newberry County has an interesting and important history that is often over-shadowed by the bigger events in the State and by better-known names of the Colonial Era and the Revolution.
This exhibit aims to provide a more complete understanding of Newberry history — a history of loyalists and patriots, of internecine conflict that affected everyone who lived here, including women, indigenous people and people of African descent.
The exhibit includes an 18th Century Medicinal Garden that has been created in partnership with the Nosegay Garden Club. Located behind the Museum, the garden features many plants that were grown and used for their healing properties.
For more information about the exhibit as well as related events and activities, and group tours, email office@thenewberrymuseum.com or phone (803) 597-5215.
The Newberry Museum is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
June 3-July 31 STORYWALK®
A Spy Called “James” Presented by Newberry County First Steps
Main Street City of Newberry SC
STORYWALK® is a fun, educational activity that places the pages from a children’s story along a walking route”. Pages can be placed along a path in a park, on storefronts down Main Street, or on the walls of a long hallway, etc.
STORYWALK® is designed to inspire parents, teachers, and other adults to take young children outdoors and enjoy reading stories together. STORYWALK® promotes literacy, physical activity, family time, and community.
Newberry First Steps is partnering with the Newberry Museum and City of Newberry to provide new books and related materials on a monthly basis.
Source: www.facebook.com/NewberryFirstSteps (March 3, 2021)
The first book of the summer was selected as part of the commemorative events surrounding the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution. This book will remain in place for several weeks and will be replaced by another commemorative book.
A Spy Called James: The True Story of James Lafayette, Revolutionary War Double Agent by Anne Rockwell.
June 26 - July 5 (Monday - Friday) 9:00 AM
“Coffee Hour” : “Revolutionary Moments in History”
WKDK radio will broadcast a series of audio-clips that commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the Revolutionary War over the course of the “Carolina Days” calendar, along with special programming and announcements about other events in and Newberry County will be broadcast.
On air at WKDK Radio 1240 AM / 101.7 FM and online at WKDK.com
June 26 10 am - 3 pm
“Digital Scavenger Hunt”
The Newberry Museum and City of Newberry
Similar to a “traditional” scavenger hunt, participants will use digital devices to find items on a list that will be available at The Newberry Museum, beginning at 10 am. Items will be located throughout the Downtown Newberry, in the area of Main Street (East - West from Calhoun Street to Nance Street / North - South from Friend Street to Harrington Street). Additional information will be posted on Facebook @thenewberrymuseum.
June 27: “Stitch in Time” Workshops
11 am & 2 pm. The Newberry Museum Free Admission / Reservation required
The program will start with a presentation about “Soldiers’ Sewing Kits” — because sewing isn’t only “Women’s Work”. Military men and boys sew too. There will be a display of 18th century sewing notions and kits.
The workshop will teach participants how to attach a standard 4-hole button; learn a running stitch and hemming stitch and (time permitting) simple embroidery on a hoop.
The same workshop will be presented at 2 different times (11 am and 2 pm), for no more than 90 minutes.
Participants: Ages 10 and older. Children ages 10 - 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Maximum of 10 people per session (adult and child count as 2).
No charge but seats are limited; call the Museum for reservations. (803) 597 - 5215 or Email office@thenewberrymuseum.com
June 30 & July 1 (10 am - 4 pm)
“Carolina Kids Days”
The Newberry Museum
This program is designed around a series of work-stations, geared to different age levels and abilities. Children and adults are invited to visit any of the work stations or all of them each day. These activities are open to the public without charge, and will run from 10am - 4 pm each day.
“The Two Georges”. Children will learn about “the two Georges — George Washington and King George III, and think about which one they might have supported if they had lived in the South Carolina Backcountry in 1776.
Silhouettes. Visitors will learn how silhouettes were an inexpensive style of portraiture, named after a penny-pinching French minister, and they will be invited to cut a silhouette of George Washington
Printing. To highlight Franklin as a newspaper publisher and as the First Postmaster General of America, the museum will offer a printing activity which uses block letters for writing a message. Children will learn “letter-locking” — how letters were folded and sealed in the 18th century, before letters were mailed in envelopes.
Weaving. At this station, visitors will learn about the Daughters of Liberty and how wearing homespun cloth was a point of pride and patriotism. Children can try weaving on a flat-loom.
The Declaration of Independence. Children will learn about this important document and its parts. Using quill pens, they may sign the Declaration.
“Joining the Militia”. Children will be invited to “sign up” for the militia; and if they choose, they may participate in drilling practice in the courtyard.
July 2: “A Revolutionary Walk ” with Ernie Shealy 10 am. Free. City of Newberry, SC.
A comfortable walk around the Main Street District of Newberry, with “Newberry’s Historian, Folklorist and Humorist”, Ernie Shealy as talks about life in and around the City during the Colonial Era and the Revolutionary War. Contact the Newberry Museum for information about where the walking tour will begin, and end. (803) 597-5215 or email office@thenewberrymuseum.com
July 2 “The Patriot” Movie at The Newberry Opera House 1pm & 6pm.
For information, contact the Newberry Opera House at (803) 276-6264.
Released in 2000, The Patriot is an epic historical action drama set against the backdrop of the American Revolutionary War. The film stars Mel Gibson as Benjamin Martin, a South Carolina farmer and widower who hopes to avoid further conflict after his past experiences in war. The film blends large scale battle sequences with an intimate family centered story.
The Patriot draws loose inspiration from real historical figures while telling a fictionalized story of resistance and resilience. The film remains a memorable and often debated portrayal of the fight for American independence, balancing action, drama, and patriotic sentiment.
July 3 Revolutionary War Monument Dedication 12 noon.
Memorial Park, City of Newberry SC / Public is invited (Free Admission)
The Philemon Waters Chapter, SAR and Jasper Chapter, DAR with the City of Newberry will be officially dedicating a monument to the Newberry County Patriots of the American Revolution in Memorial Park, Newberry, SC.
This is a collaborative endeavor with the SAR, SAR, City of Newberry, Newberry County, and the Newberry County 250 Committee. This dedication ceremony will be Newberry County’s 2026 Carolina Days premier event. It will include a color guard, a joint City and County Proclamation, speakers from the SAR, DAR, SC250, Pledge of Allegiance, patriotic musical support, monument dedication, and laying of wreaths. A reception will follow immediately after the ceremony in the Edward Kyzer Newberry Firehouse Conference Center.
July 3 Reading of The Declaration of Independence / Patriotic Music
Contact the Newberry Opera House at (803) 276-6264
6:00 PM. The Newberry Opera House invites the community to a stirring live reading of the Declaration of Independence, a signature tradition that honors the foundational principles of American liberty. This public recitation brings the historic document to life within the walls of the city’s iconic performing arts center, allowing the audience to reflect on the weight and significance of the words that shaped a nation. By positioning this reading as the centerpiece of the afternoon, the event fosters a profound sense of civic pride and historical connection. Immediately following this powerful tribute to the country’s origins, the 246th Army Band takes the stage to continue the patriotic celebration through their renowned musical program.
July 4 Harper Street Bicycle Parade: Celebrating America 9:30 am.
City of Newberry SC.
The parade route starts at the corner of Harper Street and Hunt Street, and ends near Calhoun Street. Immediately following the parade, at the corner of Harper Street and Walnut Street, the public will be asked to join together for the Pledge of Allegiance. Afterwards, a “hook-and-ladder” truck from the Fire Department, City of Newberry will spray the audience and the “water works” will begin. Contact: City of Newberry Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department for more information. (803) 321-1015.
July 4 “Let Freedom Ring” At 12:00 PM Noon (1 minute)
Bells will ring throughout the state to celebrate South Carolina’s pivotal role in the War for American Independence by ringing bells. Invite your friends and family, your schools, businesses, civic organizations and churches to “LET FREEDOM RING” by ringing bells as part of the statewide moment of history. 12:00 noon, on July 4, 2026
July 4 Fireworks Display. Dusk at Newberry High School
Sponsored by Newberry Law Enforcement Association
The annual fireworks display will be held on July 4th at Newberry High School. You may choose to sit in the stadium and enjoy the synchronized patriotic music or view the display from adjacent properties that permit parking. Gates will open after 6:00pm, with the fireworks display beginning after 9:00pm. Please note that the display may begin earlier if inclement weather approaches.
July 5 Patriots Day Events, Town of Prosperity SC. TBD